Women's Chorale

The Ithaca College Women's Chorale, conducted by Janet
Galván, is one of five choral ensembles in the School of Music. The group includes between 50
and 65 singers, both music and non-music majors, freshmen through graduate students. The Women’s
Chorale has distinguished itself for its innovative programming and performs a variety of repertoire
that balances master composers from all musical periods, compositions of high quality from less
celebrated composers, contemporary pieces that stretch the boundaries of choral sound, and works that
embody the world's many musical heritages.

They have performed on tour in Ireland, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall, and, as part
of the Choral Union, at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Other performances have taken place
at the Eastern Division Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, the national and
regional conventions of the Music Educators National Conference, and at the New York State School Music
Association (NYSSMA) Conference. The ensemble was the resident artist choir at the first International
Women in Song Festival in Toronto, Canada. They have worked with many guest artists including
Horace Boyer, Libby Larsen, Chen Yi, Gregg Smith, Lukas Foss, Ron Nelson, and Samuel Adler. The
Women's Chorale can be heard on their CD, Cantan which feature the treble compositions of
Francisco Núñez, produced in collaboration with the composer, and on numerous CDs of live performances
at music conventions.

"As an Ithaca College graduate (75'), I am particularly proud of the work Janet Galvan is
doing. Her Women's Chorale sings repertoire that few others dare explore and they sing with a
confidence that touches us deep within, a true gift from the world of excellence known as Ithaca
College." --Nick Page (Page is a renowned Boston based Song Leader, Composer, Writer, and Workshop
Leader. He is the founding director of the Mystic Chorale.)

"I was deeply impressed by your great performance of my choral arrangement Chinese Mountain
Songs in the evening concert of my compositions, when I was the Karel Husa Visiting Professor at Ithaca
College. Your performance is so vivid and passionate, youthful and energetic, yet the Chinese
pronunciation is so precise and accurate. You have really sung in my expression and style in my
composition. Thank you gratefully for your support." --Composer Chen Yi

"The visit of the Ithaca College Women's Chorale was certainly a highlight event for the
Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. While the high standard of choral singing came as no surprise
to anyone who has heard this superlative ensemble, we were particularly impressed by the liturgical
sensitivity brought to bear on Masses sung with the Benedictine community at Glenstal Abbey and the
Augustinian community in Limerick city. The beauty and liturgical appropriateness of the repertoire
left one with a tremendous sense of the ritual and spiritual power of this song." -- Helen
Phelan, Course Director, MA Chant and Ritual Song Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
University of Limerick, Ireland

"The Ithaca Women's Chorale represents the finest among women's choirs in the United States. The
IWC embraces a diversity of musical practices, sings beautifully with deep understanding of the music
performed, and is no doubt a flagship organization for Ithaca College. Janet Galvan, their remarkable
conductor and champion, has had great influence in the arena of women's singing and music for women's
voices." -- Dr. Sandra Snow, Michigan State University

"This choir sings so beautifully and with such expression. Thank you so much
for bringing such beauty into the world." -- Paul Carey, composer